Electrical connector

ABSTRACT

An electrical connector and a clamping member thereof. The electrical connector includes an insulating body, multiple terminals fixed to the insulating body, a stiffener surrounding a periphery of the insulating body, a load plate, and a clamping member located between the load plate and the stiffener. A grasping portion protrudes forward from the clamping member. The grasping portion has two first sections provided at each of two opposite sides thereof, two second sections formed by respectively turning and extending forward from the two first sections to be close to each other, two third sections formed by respectively turning and extending forward from the two second sections, and a head formed by extending from the third sections. A distance between the two first sections is greater than a distance between the two third sections, and a width of the head is greater than the distance between the two third sections.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 15/157,815, filed May 18, 2016, which itself claims priority to andbenefit of, under 35 U.S.C. §119(a), Patent Application Nos.201520471305.0 filed in P.R. China on Jul. 3, 2015, and 201520767583.0filed in P.R. China on Sep. 29, 2015. The entire contents of theabove-identified applications are incorporated herein by reference.

Some references, if any, which may include patents, patent applicationsand various publications, may be cited and discussed in the descriptionof this invention. The citation and/or discussion of such references, ifany, is provided merely to clarify the description of the presentinvention and is not an admission that any such reference is “prior art”to the invention described herein. All references listed, cited and/ordiscussed in this specification are incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties and to the same extent as if each reference wasindividually incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electrical connector and a clampingmember thereof, and more particularly to an electrical connector forelectrically connecting a chip module and a clamping member thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Chinese Patent Application No. 201210217573.0 discloses an electricalconnector used for electrically connecting a chip module to a printedcircuit board. The electrical connector includes an insulating bodyhaving conductive terminals received therein, a reinforce member locatedat outside of the insulating body, a lever and a connecting rodinstalled to two opposite ends of the reinforce member, and a load plateand a holding member installed to the reinforce member. The reinforcemember is provided with a first end and a second end opposite to thefirst end. The holding member and the lever are installed to the firstend of the reinforce member, and the load plate and the connecting rodare installed to the second end of the reinforce member. The holdingmember includes a rotating member installed to the first end of thereinforce member, an elastic member located between the rotating memberand the reinforce member, a shaft fixing the rotating member and theelastic member onto the reinforce member, and a clamping memberinstalled onto the rotating member and used for fixing the chip module.The clamping member includes a frame-shaped body portion, a guideportion extending downward from the body portion, a grasping portionextending outward from the body portion, and an assembling portionextending outward from the body portion. The body portion is providedwith multiple positioning portions extending downward. The positioningportions jointly form a space that receives the chip module. When theelectrical connector is in use, the chip module is fixed onto theclamping member through pasting or in other manners, the clamping memberis installed onto the rotating member, the lever, the connecting rod andthe load plate are opened by rotation to make the lever, the connectingrod and the load plate in an on state, the grasping portion of theclamping member is pressed to make it rotate and close so as to installthe chip module onto the insulating body, the guide portion of theclamping member locates on the outside of the insulating body to makethe chip module and the conductive terminals aligned accurately, theload plate, the connecting rod and the lever are closed by rotation, asecond operating lever of the connecting rod is buckled onto a firstbuckling portion of a first fixing member, a first operating lever ofthe connecting rod is buckled onto a second buckling portion of a secondfixing member, and a first pressing portion of the lever is pressed ontothe tongue of the load plate, to make the load plate provide a pressingforce for the chip module, which effectively ensures good electricalconnections between the chip module and the conductive terminals. As theload plate and the holding member are opened respectively on twoopposite ends of the reinforce member, the load plate and the holdingmember occupy a greater space of the circuit board, resulting in that itis easy to contact other electronic elements on the circuit board.

Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the art to addressthe aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention relates to an electrical connectorthat saves space and a clamping member thereof.

In one embodiment, an electrical connector for electrically connecting achip module includes: an insulating body; a plurality of terminalsreceived in the insulating body, for electrically connecting the chipmodule; a stiffener surrounding a periphery of the insulating body; aload plate for pressing the chip module, a rear end of the load platebeing pivoted to the stiffener; and a clamping member located betweenthe load plate and the stiffener, for fixing the chip module to carrythe chip module onto the insulating body. A grasping portion protrudesforward from the clamping member, the grasping portion has two firstsections provided at each of two opposite sides thereof, two secondsections formed by respectively turning and extending forward from thetwo first sections to be close to each other, two third sections formedby respectively turning and extending forward from the two secondsections, and a head formed by extending from the third sections. Adistance between the two first sections is greater than a distancebetween the two third sections, and a width of the head is greater thanthe distance between the two third sections.

In one embodiment, the stiffener is provided with a first pivotingportion and a second pivoting portion which are located on a same sideof the insulating body, the first pivoting portion is located betweenthe second pivoting portion and the insulating body; a rear end of theload plate is pivoted to the second pivoting portion; a guide frame ispivoted to the first pivoting portion, the guide frame has four edgesdefining an opening for receiving the chip module; two sliding rails arerespectively provided on two opposite sides of the opening; and theclamping member is provided with two side plates on two opposite sidesthereof, the two side plates are respectively carried by the two slidingrails and slidable along the two sliding rails.

In one embodiment, when the clamping member is assembled on the guideframe and the guide frame moves towards a closing direction to beinstalled on the insulating body, the sliding rails are located on twoopposite sides of the insulating body and located between the stiffenerand the side plates, and an upper surface of each of the sliding railsis not higher than an upper surface of the insulating body.

In one embodiment, a first stopping portion is formed by extendingupward from each of the sliding rails to be stopped to a side edge ofcorresponding one of the side plates, a second stopping portion isformed by extending horizontally from each of the first stoppingportion, a front end of each of the first stopping portion is flush witha front end of corresponding one of the sliding rails, a groove isconcavely disposed from an upper surface of the side plate, the secondstopping portion is stopped above the groove, and the second stoppingportion is not higher than the upper surface of the side plate.

In one embodiment, the front end of each of the second stopping portionis not flush with the front end of corresponding one of the slidingrails.

In one embodiment, the guide member includes a plastic member and ametal member insert molded to the plastic member, the plastic member hastwo opposite side arms and a rear arm connected to the two side arms,the side arms are provided with the sliding rails.

In one embodiment, the metal member is provided with two opposite firstarms, and a second arm and a third arm connected to the two first arms,the first arms are insert molded into the side arms and the first armsgo beyond the side arms along their length directions, the second arm isinsert molded into the rear arm, and the third arm bends downward fromthe first arms to reserve the clamping member when the clamping memberis installed to the guide member.

In one embodiment, the head is at least partially located right abovethe third arm when the load plate is closed.

In one embodiment, the load plate is provided with a through hole forreceiving the chip module, and a plurality of receiving holesrespectively in front of and behind the through hole, each receivinghole is provided for a locking member to pass therethrough to fix theload plate to the stiffener, and the load plate is further provided witha bending portion pivoted to the stiffener, and a protruding portionprotruding backward at each of the two opposite sides of the bendingportion, wherein the two protruding portions are provided with thereceiving holes.

In one embodiment, the grasping portion is provided with a perforationlocated below the receiving holes for the locking member to passthrough.

In one embodiment, the perforation is partially located between the twofirst sections.

In one embodiment, the perforation is partially located between the twothird sections.

In one embodiment, when the load plate is closed, the head is locatedforward beyond a front end of the stiffener, and the first sections, thesecond sections, and the third sections are not located beyond the frontend of the stiffener.

In one embodiment, when the load plate is closed, the head is locatedforward beyond a front end of the load plate.

In one embodiment, the head bends upward to be higher than the thirdsections.

In one embodiment, a clamping member has a base portion for fixing achip module, where a grasping portion protrudes forward from the baseportion, the grasping portion has two first sections provided at each oftwo opposite sides thereof, two second sections formed by respectivelyturning and extending forward from the two first sections to be close toeach other, two third sections formed by respectively turning andextending forward from the two second sections, and a head formed byextending from the third sections, a distance between the two firstsections is greater than a distance between the two third sections, anda width of the head is greater than the distance between the two thirdsections.

In one embodiment, the head bends upward to be higher than the thirdsections.

In one embodiment, the clamping member is provided with a perforationvertically penetrating the grasping portion, and the perforation ispartially located between the two first sections.

In one embodiment, the perforation is partially located between the twothird sections.

In one embodiment, the grasping portion has a chamfer formed by tiltingand extending downward from the base portion to connect the two firstsections.

Compared with the related art, in certain embodiment of the presentinvention, the stiffener is provided with the first pivoting portion andthe second pivoting portion which are located on the same side of theinsulating body, the carrier is pivoted to the first pivoting portion,and the load plate is pivoted to the second pivoting portion, so thatthe carrier and the load plate are opened on the same side of theinsulating body, thus occupying a small space of the circuit board.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparentfrom the following description of the preferred embodiment taken inconjunction with the following drawings, although variations andmodifications therein may be effected without departing from the spiritand scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of theinvention and together with the written description, serve to explainthe principles of the invention. Wherever possible, the same referencenumbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or likeelements of an embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a schematic three-dimensional exploded view of an electricalconnector and a clamping member thereof according to a first embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of a guide frame of the electricalconnector and a clamping member thereof according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing that a chip module of theelectrical connector and a clamping member thereof according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention is installed to a clampingmember.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing that a clamping member of theelectrical connector and a clamping member thereof according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention is installed to a guide frame.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing that a guide frame of theelectrical connector and a clamping member thereof according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention is closed by rotation.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing that a guide frame of the electricalconnector and a clamping member thereof according to the firstembodiment of the present invention is closed by rotation.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing that a guide frame of the electricalconnector and a clamping member thereof according to the firstembodiment of the present invention is closed by rotation.

FIG. 8 is a schematic three-dimensional exploded view of an electricalconnector and a clamping member thereof according to a second embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the electrical connector and a clamping memberthereof before assembling a chip module according to the secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the electrical connector and a clamping memberthereof after closing of a load plate according to the second embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the electrical connector and a clamping memberthereof after closing of a load plate according to the second embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic three-dimensional view of a metal member of anelectrical connector and a clamping member thereof according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic three-dimensional view of a metal member of anelectrical connector and a clamping member thereof according to a fourthembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is more particularly described in the followingexamples that are intended as illustrative only since numerousmodifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilledin the art. Various embodiments of the invention are now described indetail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like componentsthroughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughoutthe claims that follow, the meaning of “a”, “an”, and “the” includesplural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, asused in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Moreover, titles or subtitles may be used in thespecification for the convenience of a reader, which shall have noinfluence on the scope of the present invention.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”another element, it can be directly on the other element or interveningelements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element isreferred to as being “directly on” another element, there are nointervening elements present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includesany and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Furthermore, relative terms, such as “lower” or “bottom” and “upper” or“top,” may be used herein to describe one element's relationship toanother element as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understoodthat relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. Forexample, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elementsdescribed as being on the “lower” side of other elements would then beoriented on “upper” sides of the other elements. The exemplary term“lower”, can therefore, encompasses both an orientation of “lower” and“upper,” depending of the particular orientation of the figure.Similarly, if the device in one of the figures is turned over, elementsdescribed as “below” or “beneath” other elements would then be oriented“above” the other elements. The exemplary terms “below” or “beneath”can, therefore, encompass both an orientation of above and below.

As used herein, “around”, “about” or “approximately” shall generallymean within 20 percent, preferably within 10 percent, and morepreferably within 5 percent of a given value or range. Numericalquantities given herein are approximate, meaning that the term “around”,“about” or “approximately” can be inferred if not expressly stated.

As used herein, the terms “comprising”, “including”, “carrying”,“having”, “containing”, “involving”, and the like are to be understoodto be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to.

The description will be made as to the embodiments of the presentinvention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in FIGS. 1-13.In accordance with the purposes of this invention, as embodied andbroadly described herein, this invention, in one aspect, relates to anelectrical connector.

FIGS. 1-7 shows an electrical connector according to a first embodimentof the present invention. The electrical connector of the presentinvention is used for electrically connecting a chip module 6 thatincludes a socket and a buckle assembly for fixing the chip module 6 tothe socket. The socket includes an insulating body 1, multiple terminals(not labeled) fixed into the insulating body 1 and used for electricallyconnecting the chip module 6. The buckle assembly includes a stiffener 2located around the periphery of the insulating body 1, a guide frame 4with a rear end pivoted onto the stiffener 2, and a load plate 3 alsowith a rear end pivoted to the stiffener 2, used for pressing the chipmodule 6.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the insulating body 1 is substantiallyrectangular. The insulating body 1 has a first side wall 10 at each ofleft and right sides of the insulating body 1, and a second sidewall 11at each of front and rear ends of the insulating body 1. Each of thesecond sidewalls 11 connects the first sidewalls 10. Each of the firstsidewalls 10 is concavely provided with a concave portion 100. An uppersurface of each of the second sidewalls 11 is concavely provided withtwo positioning slots 110, and the positioning slots 110 penetrate lowersurfaces of the second sidewalls 11.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the stiffener 2 includes a bottom plate20, and a first metal sheet 21 and a second metal sheet 22 riveted ontothe bottom plate 20. The first metal sheet 21 is provided thereon with afirst pivoting portion 210 for being pivoted to the guide frame 4, andthe second metal sheet 22 is provided thereon with a second pivotingportion 220. The bottom plate 20 is a hollow frame surrounding theinsulating body 1. The first pivoting portion 210 and the secondpivoting portion 220 are located behind the insulating body 1, and thefirst pivoting portion 210 is located in front of the second pivotingportion 220. The bottom plate 20 is provided with three locking portions23. Two of the locking portions 23 are located on left and right sidesof the second pivoting portion 220, and another locking portion 23 islocated in front of the insulating body 1. A front end of the bottomplate 20 is further provided with a reserved slot 24. The middle of thebottom plate 20 is provided with a frame opening 200 for receiving theinsulating body 1. The bottom plate 20 is provided with a reinforce rib201 in front of the frame opening 200, which is disposed lengthwise in aleft-right direction. The length of the reinforce rib 201 is less thanthat of a front side of the frame opening 200, and a center line of thereinforce rib 201 along a front-rear direction passes through thelocking portions 23. The reinforce rib 201 has a raised portion 2011protruding upward from an upper surface of the bottom plate 20, and anextending portion 2012 is formed by horizontally extending from theraised portion 2011. The extending portion 2012 has a free end oppositeto the raised portion 2011, and the bottom and left and right sides ofthe raised portion 2011 are connected to the bottom plate 20.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the load plate 3 is made of a metalmaterial. The middle of the load plate 3 is provided with a through hole30 for the chip module 6 to pass through. A rear end of the load plate 3is provided with a bending portion 31. The bending portion 31 is pivotedto the second pivoting portion 220 through a first fixing pin 7. Aprojection 32 protrudes backward on each of two opposite sides of thebending portion 31 from the load plate 3. The load plate 3 is providedwith three receiving holes 33 corresponding to the three lockingportions 23. One receiving hole 33 is located in front of the throughhole 30, the other two receiving holes 33 are located behind the throughhole 30 and disposed at the projections 32. A locking member 34 passesthrough the receiving holes 33 to be locked with the locking portions 23so as to fix the load plate 3 onto the stiffener 2. In this embodiment,the locking member 34 is a screw. The load plate 3 is provided, at theperiphery of the receiving holes 33, with a protrusion portion 35 thatprotrudes downward.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, a clamping member 5 used for fixing thechip module 6. The clamping member 5 is made of a plastic material, andhas a base portion for fixing the chip module 6. Two side plates 51 arerespectively provided at two opposite sides of the base portion, and afront plate 57 and a rear plate 58 are respectively provided at theother two opposite sides of the base portion to be connected to the twoside plates 51. The two side plates 51, the front plate 57 and the rearplate 58 define a receiving hole 50 for the chip module 6 to passthrough. An upper surface of each of the side plates 51 is concavelyprovided with a groove 510, a bottom surface of each of the side plates51 is provided with a sliding slot 511, and a front end of each of thesliding slots 511 is provided with a fixing hole 512. Two protrudingblocks 52 protrude horizontally from a rear end of the rear plate 58.The clamping member 5 is provided with four positioning portions 520corresponding to the four positioning slots 110. Two of the positioningportions 520 are disposed at lower surfaces of the protruding blocks 52,the other two positioning portions 520 are disposed at a lower surfaceof the front plate 57. The positioning portions 520 are big-end-upcylinders. The positioning portions 520 cooperate with the positioningslots 110 to position the clamping member 5 to the insulating body 1.The clamping member 5 is provided with six fixing portions 53. Thefixing portions 53 are hooks clipping to a bottom surface of the chipmodule 6, to fix the chip module 6 to the clamping member 5. Theclamping member 5 is provided with a grasping portion 54 protrudingforward from the front plate 57. Two sides of the grasping portion 54have grasp spaces 55 for an operator to grasp the clamping member 5. Thegrasping portion 54 is provided with a perforation 540 verticallypenetrating the grasping portion 54 and located below the receiving hole33 for the locking member 34 to pass through. The length of theperforation 540 along a front-rear direction is greater than the lengthalong a left-right direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the guide frame 4 includes a plasticmember 41 and a metal member 42 insert molded to the plastic member 41,to increase strength of the plastic member 41. The height of the guideframe 4 is not higher than an upper surface of the side plate 51. Theplastic member 41 is substantially U-shaped, and has two opposite sidearms 411 and a rear arm 412 connected to the two side arms 411. The reararm 412 is pivoted to the first pivoting portion 210 through a secondfixing pin 8. The rear arm 412 is concavely provided with two receivinggrooves 4120 to receive the protruding blocks 52. Each of the two sidearms 411 is provided with a sliding rail 413. The two sliding rails 413are located on two opposite sides of the insulating body 1 respectively.Upper surfaces of the sliding rails 413 are not higher than the uppersurface of the insulating body 1, and the upper surfaces of the slidingrails 413 are lower than the upper surface of the rear arm 412. The sideplates 51 respectively slide on the sliding rails 413, and the slidingrails 413 are located between the stiffener 2 and the side plates 51.The upper surfaces of the sliding rails 413 are provided with two convexpillars 4130. The convex pillars 4130 respectively enter into thesliding slots 511 to guide the clamping member 5 to slide, and when theconvex pillars 4130 slide in the sliding slots 511 to where the convexpillars 4130 are snapped to the fixing holes 512, the clamping member 5stops sliding. A first stopping portion 414 is formed by extendingupward from each of the sliding rails 413 to be stopped to a side edgeof the side plate 51, a second stopping portion 415 is formed byextending horizontally from the first stopping portion 414 to be stoppedabove the groove 510. The second stopping portion 415 is not higher thanthe upper surface of the corresponding side plate 51. A front end of thesecond stopping portion 415 has a guide surface 4150 used for guidingthe clamping member 5 to enter into the guide frame 41. A front end ofeach of the first stopping portions 414 is flush with a front end of thecorresponding sliding rail 413. The front end of each of the secondstopping portions 415 is not flush with the front end of thecorresponding sliding rail 413. A protruding portion 416 is formed byprotruding upward from each of the sliding rails 413 to connect the reararm 412. An upper surface of the protruding portion 416 is higher thanthe upper surfaces of the sliding rails 413. The protruding portion 416is as high as the rear arm 412, and the front end of the protrudingportion 416 is located forward beyond the front end of the rear arm 412.Along a left-right direction, the width of the protruding portion 416 isgreater than the width of the second stopping portion 415, an inner sideof the protruding portion 416 is flush with inner sides of the slidingrails 413, and an outer side of the protruding portion 416 is flush withan outer side of the first stopping portion 414. Each of the side arms411 is provided with a hook portion 417. The hook portions 417 arerespectively snapped into the concave portions 100, to buckle the guideframe 4 onto the insulating body 1. The metal member 42 has two oppositefirst arms 421, and a second arm 422 and a third arm 423 connected tothe two first arms 421. The third arm 423 is located in front of thesecond arm 422. The two first arms 421, the second arm 422 and the thirdarm 423 define an opening 420 for the chip module 6 to pass through, andthe grasp spaces 55 are in communication with the opening 420. The firstarms 421 are insert molded into the side arms 411, and the first arms421 go beyond the side arms 411 along their length directions. Thesecond arm 422 is insert molded into the rear arm 412. The third arm 423bends downward from the first arms 421 to be lower than the fixingportion 53, to reserve the fixing portion 53 when the clamping member 5is installed to the guide frame 4. The third arm 423 is received in thereserved slot 24.

When in use, at first, the chip module 6 is installed into the clampingmember 5, and the clamping member 5 slides on the sliding rail 413 fromfront to back along a direction parallel to an upper surface of theguide frame 4, and stops sliding when the convex pillars 4130 aresnapped to the fixing holes 512; then, the guide frame 4 is rotateddownward, the positioning portions 52 of the rear plate 58 are firstpositioned into the positioning slots 110 of the insulating body 1, andthe hook portion 417 of the guide frame 4 is then snapped with theconcave portion 100 of the insulating body 1, to cause the chip module 6to be aligned with the insulating body 1; finally, the load plate 3 isrotated downward, and the locking member 34 is locked to the lockingportion 23, so that the load plate 3 is closed and fixed onto thestiffener 2, to cause the load plate 3 to press the chip module 6 tofully urge the terminals (not shown). When the load plate 3 is closed,the head 54 d is located forward beyond the front end of the load plate3, the head 54 d is at least partially located directly above the thirdarm 423, and the head 54 d is located forward beyond the front end ofthe stiffener 2, while the first sections 54 a, the second sections 54b, and the third sections 54 c are not located beyond the front end ofthe stiffener 2.

FIGS. 8-13 schematically show an electrical connector according to asecond embodiment of the present invention. The differences between thesecond embodiment and the first embodiment are as follows. The loadplate 3 has a side portion 35 at each of left and right side of thethrough hole 30. A bottom surface of each of the side portions 35 isprotruded with two first pressing portions 351 and a second pressingportion 352 located between the two first pressing portions 351, forpressing the chip module 6. A width of each of the second pressingportions 352 in the left and right direction is greater than a width ofthe corresponding first pressing portions 351, so as to avoiddeformation of the load plate 3 when the load plate 3 presses the chipmodule 6. The bottom surface of the load plate 3 is further protrudedwith a third pressing portion 353. The third pressing portion 353 islocated in the front of the first pressing portions 351 and the secondpressing portions 352, and the third pressing portion 353 extends fromthe left side of the through hole 30 to the right side of the throughhole 30.

In certain embodiments, each of the left side and the right side of themetal member 42 is extended upward to form an operation portion 424, foran operator to rotate the guide frame 4 (in other embodiments, thenumber of the operating portions 424 may be one; i.e., the operatingportion 424 is disposed only in the left side of the metal member 42 orthe right side of the metal member 42). The operating portions 424 arelocated in the front of the sliding rails 413. When the clamping member5 is slidably assembled to the guide frame 4, the operating portions 424stop at two opposite sides of the clamping member 5. When the load plate3 is in a close state, the operating portions 424 is located at thefront of the side portions 35. Side edges of the operating portions 424do not extend beyond side edges of the load plate 3. Each of theoperating portion 424 has a chamfer 4240 disposed at the rear sidethereof. The chamfer 4240, from bottom upward, is slant away from thecorresponding side portion 35. When the chip module 6 is not assembled,the load plate 3 is opened, and the guide frame 4 is rotated to open,and in this process, there is a clearance between each of the chamfers4240 and the corresponding side portion 35, so that the interferencebetween the operation portion 424 and the corresponding side portion 35is avoided. Each of the operating portions 424 has a connecting portion4241 extending upward, and a holding portion 4242 bending and extendinglaterally from the connecting portion 4241. As shown in FIG. 11, each ofthe holding portions 4242 bends inward from the connecting portion 4241.In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 12, each of the holding portions4242 may also bend outward from the corresponding connecting portion4241. In further embodiments, as shown in FIG. 13, each of the holdingportions 4242 may extend forward and exceed the corresponding connectingportion 4241, such that the area of the holding portions 4242 is large,and it is easy for the operator to hold the holding portions 4242.

As shown in FIG. 8, .the grasping portion 54 has two first sections 54 aprovided at two opposite sides thereof, two second sections 54 b formedby respectively turning and extending forward from the two firstsections 54 a to be close to each other, two third sections 54 c formedby respectively turning and extending forward from the two secondsections 54 b, and a head 54 d formed by extending from the thirdsections 54 c. The head 54 d bends upward to be higher than the thirdsection 54 c. The distance between the two first sections 54 a isgreater than that between the two third sections 54 c. The width W1 ofthe head 54 d is greater than the distance W2 between the two thirdsections 54 c. A part of the perforation 540 is located between the twofirst sections 54 a, and another part of the perforation 540 is locatedbetween the two third sections 54 c. The grasping portion 54 further hasa chamfer 541 formed by tilting and extending downward from the frontplate 57 to connect the two first sections 54 a.

In summary, the electrical connector according to certain embodiments ofthe present invention, among other things, has the following beneficialeffects.

(1) The stiffener 2 is provided with the first pivoting portion 210 andthe second pivoting portion 220 which are located on the same side ofthe insulating body 1, the carrier is pivoted to the first pivotingportion 210, and the load plate 3 is pivoted to the second pivotingportion 220, so that the carrier and the load plate 3 are opened on thesame side of the insulating body 1, thus occupying a small space of thecircuit board.

(2) The clamping member 5 is slidably installed on the guide frame 4,thus reducing the difficulty of assembling and disassembling theclamping member 5.

(3) The sliding rails 413 of the guide frame 4 are located between thestiffener 2 and the side plates 51 of the clamping member 5, which cansave space.

(4) A protruding portion 416 is formed by protruding upward from thesliding rails 413 to connect the rear arm 412, making the protrudingportion 416 higher than the sliding rails 413, so as to enhance thestrength of the side arms 411 and prevent the side arms 411 frombreaking when the side plate 51 of the clamping member 5 slides on thesliding rails 413.

(5) Two sides of the grasping portion 54 have grasp spaces 55, and thegrasp spaces 55 are in communication with the opening 420, whichfacilitates grasp and saves the space.

(6) The load plate 3 is provided with a receiving hole 33 in front ofthe through hole 30 and two receiving holes 33 behind the through hole30, and each receiving hole 33 allows the locking member 34 to passthrough to fix the load plate 3 onto the stiffener 2. Thus, an upwardpulling force of the load plate 3 applied to the part of the stiffener 2in front of the frame opening 200 is greater than an upward pullingforce of the load plate 3 applied to the part of the stiffener 2 behindthe frame opening 200. A reinforce rib 201 is provided in front of theframe opening 200 through the stiffener 2, to reinforce the strength ofthe part of stiffener 2 in front of the frame opening 200, preventingthe part of stiffener 2 in front of the frame opening 200 fromdeforming.

(7) The grasping portion 54 of the clamping member 5 has two firstsections 54 a provided at two opposite sides thereof, two secondsections 54 b formed by respectively turning and extending forward fromthe two first sections 54 a to be close to each other, two thirdsections 54 c formed by respectively turning and extending forward fromthe two second sections 54 b, and a head 54 d formed by extending fromthe third sections 54 c. The distance between the two first sections 54a is greater than that between the two third sections 54 c. The width W1of the head 54 d is greater than the distance W2 between the two thirdsections 54 c. Thus, the strength of the grasping portion 54 of theclamping member 5 is ensured without affecting the space between theload plate 3 and the stiffener 2.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the inventionhas been presented only for the purposes of illustration and descriptionand is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teaching.

The embodiments are chosen and described in order to explain theprinciples of the invention and their practical application so as toactivate others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and variousembodiments and with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art to which the present inventionpertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, thescope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims ratherthan the foregoing description and the exemplary embodiments describedtherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrical connector for electricallyconnecting a chip module, comprising: an insulating body; a plurality ofterminals received in the insulating body, for electrically connectingthe chip module; a stiffener surrounding a periphery of the insulatingbody; a load plate for pressing the chip module, a rear end of the loadplate being pivoted to the stiffener; and a clamping member locatedbetween the load plate and the stiffener, for fixing the chip module tocarry the chip module onto the insulating body, wherein a graspingportion protrudes forward from the clamping member, the grasping portionhas two first sections provided at each of two opposite sides thereof,two second sections formed by respectively turning and extending forwardfrom the two first sections to be close to each other, two thirdsections formed by respectively turning and extending forward from thetwo second sections, and a head formed by extending from the thirdsections, a distance between the two first sections is greater than adistance between the two third sections, and a width of the head isgreater than the distance between the two third sections.
 2. Theelectrical connector of claim 1, wherein: the stiffener is provided witha first pivoting portion and a second pivoting portion which are locatedon a same side of the insulating body, the first pivoting portion islocated between the second pivoting portion and the insulating body; arear end of the load plate is pivoted to the second pivoting portion; aguide frame is pivoted to the first pivoting portion, the guide framehas four edges defining an opening for receiving the chip module; twosliding rails are respectively provided on two opposite sides of theopening; and the clamping member is provided with two side plates on twoopposite sides thereof, the two side plates are respectively carried bythe two sliding rails and slidable along the two sliding rails.
 3. Theelectrical connector of claim 2, wherein when the clamping member isassembled on the guide frame and the guide frame moves towards a closingdirection to be installed on the insulating body, the sliding rails arelocated on two opposite sides of the insulating body and located betweenthe stiffener and the side plates, and an upper surface of each of thesliding rails is not higher than an upper surface of the insulatingbody.
 4. The electrical connector of claim 2, wherein a first stoppingportion is formed by extending upward from each of the sliding rails tobe stopped to a side edge of corresponding one of the side plates, asecond stopping portion is formed by extending horizontally from each ofthe first stopping portion, a front end of each of the first stoppingportion is flush with a front end of corresponding one of the slidingrails, a groove is concavely disposed from an upper surface of the sideplate, the second stopping portion is stopped above the groove, and thesecond stopping portion is not higher than the upper surface of the sideplate.
 5. The electrical connector of claim 4, wherein the front end ofeach of the second stopping portion is not flush with the front end ofcorresponding one of the sliding rails.
 6. The electrical connector ofclaim 2, wherein the guide member comprises a plastic member and a metalmember insert molded to the plastic member, the plastic member has twoopposite side arms and a rear arm connected to the two side arms, theside arms are provided with the sliding rails.
 7. The electricalconnector of claim 6, wherein the metal member is provided with twoopposite first arms, and a second arm and a third arm connected to thetwo first arms, the first arms are insert molded into the side arms andthe first arms go beyond the side arms along their length directions,the second arm is insert molded into the rear arm, and the third armbends downward from the first arms to reserve the clamping member whenthe clamping member is installed to the guide member.
 8. The electricalconnector of claim 7, wherein the head is at least partially locatedright above the third arm when the load plate is closed.
 9. Theelectrical connector of claim 1, wherein the load plate is provided witha through hole for receiving the chip module, and a plurality ofreceiving holes respectively in front of and behind the through hole,each receiving hole is provided for a locking member to passtherethrough to fix the load plate to the stiffener, and the load plateis further provided with a bending portion pivoted to the stiffener, anda projection protruding backward at each of the two opposite sides ofthe bending portion, wherein each of the two projections is providedwith one of the receiving holes.
 10. The electrical connector of claim9, wherein the grasping portion is provided with a perforation locatedbelow one of the receiving holes for the locking member to pass through.11. The electrical connector of claim 10, wherein the perforation ispartially located between the two first sections.
 12. The electricalconnector of claim 11, wherein the perforation is partially locatedbetween the two third sections.
 13. The electrical connector of claim 1,wherein when the load plate is closed, the head is located forwardbeyond a front end of the stiffener, and the first sections, the secondsections, and the third sections are not located beyond the front end ofthe stiffener.
 14. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein when theload plate is closed, the head is located forward beyond a front end ofthe load plate.
 15. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein thehead bends upward to be higher than the third sections.
 16. A clampingmember, having a base portion for fixing a chip module, wherein agrasping portion protrudes forward from the base portion, the graspingportion has two first sections provided at each of two opposite sidesthereof, two second sections formed by respectively turning andextending forward from the two first sections to be close to each other,two third sections formed by respectively turning and extending forwardfrom the two second sections, and a head formed by extending from thethird sections, a distance between the two first sections is greaterthan a distance between the two third sections, and a width of the headis greater than the distance between the two third sections.
 17. Theclamping member of claim 16, wherein the head bends upward to be higherthan the third sections.
 18. The clamping member of claim 16, whereinthe clamping member is provided with a perforation verticallypenetrating the grasping portion, and the perforation is partiallylocated between the two first sections.
 19. The clamping member of claim18, wherein the perforation is partially located between the two thirdsections.
 20. The clamping member of claim 16, wherein the graspingportion has a chamfer formed by tilting and extending downward from thebase portion to connect the two first sections.